Sleep Trouble SOLVED!

SO after 3 days of SLEEP TRAINING, Isaac went from 30ming to less than 10min of crying in order to go to bed or nap. Praise the Lord, it has been getting easier putting him to bed. Honestly, that first night was probably the worest just hearing him cry to hard, but man do they learn fast, he pretty much can just fall asleep on his own now.

Below you'll see pictures of Isaacs new teeth and his joy of eating finger foods. He has been really enjoying picking up foods to feed himself such as cheese, bananas, rasberry, cheerios. So the other night, we went to the Stalls home and hung out with Ms. Natalie. Elizabeth as always has something amazing cooking! So while we were eating dinner, we put Isaac in the play room which has a step in between the play room and this formal dining area. We were all chatting sort of hearing Isaac in the distance, but by the end of dinner we hear this baby giggling, and there he was, he climbed up the one stair and go to the kitchen, which was walled off, we couldn't believe it, we just showed him how to get up the stairs that afternoon, its amazing how fast they learn!

Dan's more of an East Coaster, hmm?

American Cities That Best Fit You::

70% Boston

70% Los Angeles

65% San Francisco

60% Philadelphia

60% Washington, DC

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

Sleep Trouble Day 1

After speaking with Sally and Keith, Dan and I felt encouraged regarding Isaac's recent sleep habits. We are not the only ones. We have been having trouble putting him to bed ever since he can pull himelf up in the crib. He has been so easy on us with putting him to bed since he was born and now, he is making us work. So Dan and I decided to dedicate this weekend to SLEEP TRAINING. Hopefully, Isaac will learn to fall asleep on his own. Just recently, we have to rock him to sleep for nap and bedtime, its like an hour ordeal each time.
Day 1: We came home late beacuse of Isaac's doctors appt. so we fed him and then put him in bed, he was quiet for 2 min. and the crying began. He cried for about 20 min. and then Dan went in, not to pick him up, but just have him lay down and rub his back, Isaac would fall asleep, but once the rubbing stops he would wake up. So, Dan said good-night to him and left the room, he cried for another 10min and there was silence, he fell asleep. yay! At 4am he woke-up crying, Dan tried to sooth him, but nothing, so I fed him a bottle, he drank almost 4 oz and put him back to bed, he cried maybe 3 min and fell asleep. So, I would say, we are doing pretty good, but it is really hard hearing your baby cry. Pray for us, we need wisdome to be better parents!

When your baby is sick...

It has been horrible the past couple of days watching Isaac struggling through his cold and ear infection. He was okay when it all started, I took him to the doctor yesterday and said that his ears looked bad so we were going ahead and treat the ear infection, well, it seems like he has gotten worse or something cuz, his fever is still around 102.5 and very irritable. he has lost his appetite, but just really clingy to me even when he knows we are in the same room. God, please heal Isaac during this time, ease the ear ache and lower his temperature, may he be healed in your name and power. So QUESTION TO the mothers out there, can they still have a fever when they have been on the antibiotics for 3 doses already? I know 102.5 isn't too high considered the standards, but I hate to see my baby sick...

No Midwest?

American Cities That Best Fit You::

65% San Diego

60% Honolulu

60% Los Angeles

55% San Francisco

55% Seattle

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

So I did a survey and it's telling me that I'm a West-Coaster?

Crazy two weeks!

What a crazy two weeks, Steve and Mo came and visited for Seth and Janelle's wedding and babysit the baby. We had a blast with them helping us around the house and not having to give Isaac a bath for a week! I can't believe how fast time has gone. Last week, Isaac had his first tooth out, yay for the little man, and the following day, the other one came out too! It was crazy! Needless to say, Isaac is a much happy camper now that the two teeth finally came out. The little one has also started to crawl around the house. Dan and I were saying how we can't wait till Isaac is mobile, now that he is, we cannot take our eyes off of him before he gets into something.
Have any of you guys's kids hit the stranger anxiety stage already? It seems like in the past two days, Isaac has gotten a lot more attached to me. Especially at bedtime, even though, Dan usually puts him to bed, but he has been crying for me to hold him or even at daycare, the teachers told me that he gets upset when new teachers comes in. I can't that's starting already!
I have one more day of full time work! Yes, its OVER! I am so thankful for the three month contracting jobl, because I really really learned a lot, but I'm ready for some time with Isaac and go part-time...It'll be nice, I can't wait to get Isaac started on swimming and tumbling classes. He is so cute! Well, thats all for now folks..more later...

Congrats to Seth and Janelle on their new adventure togethre....and this weekend, is Chris and Melinda's wedding, sadly, we will not be able to go, but you guys are in our prayers and we are excited for you both! Congrats!

Seth and Janelle Wedding Video

Seth and Janelle are married! Very nice ceremony and reception at a vineyard. Here's a video that was played at their wedding. Pictures to follow...

So this is parenting!

I love my baby! Isaac is so cute and sweet, which having him has taught Dan and I what love really means. It gives us just a small glimpse of what GOd's love is. Isn't that amazing! that unconditional love. Now, before you read on, you are probably thinking this is going to be one of those moments...well, i thought i share with you one of the highlights of parenting. It all started out as the family cleaning day...mainly Dan. Dan had got down on his hands and knees scrubbing away at the floor and our filthy bath tub. I was very excited to give Isaac a bath, since its all nice and clean and this "heat wave" here would be nice for Isaac to have a nice bath. So I am bathing him, talking and playing with him when I noticed tiny brownish green pebbles floating around the water, within secounds I realized, Isaac had a BOWEL MOVEMENT. I quickly jumped out with him and put the shower on to rise him off as I let the tub drain. I quickly get Isaac cleaned up and have him play in the hallway as I clean the tub. Gagging and holding my breath, with MY HANDS, I picked up a couple poops before they got a mushy in the water and I had to clean the hard work Dan had put through all over again. Below are some photos for you. Believe parenting is great, but you know you are a true parent when you reached in and grabbed your child's poop out of the tub. Isaac remember this day, because when I am 99 years old, you might be doing the same for me!

the other photos are of Isaac cooling off. If you haven't heard, we are having a "heat wave" of 99 degrees here in the Northwest!

Isaac! Isaac! Isaac!

the baby has been creeping so much lately we have to reall watch him. His favorite thing these days are the breastpump tubings and cable wires. Why do they just have an instincts for forbidden things? We would go up to him and say it very firmly "NO" and then put him in the middle of the carpet. Needless to say, he hasn't learned that yet. :).
Here are some pictures of Isaac helping Mommy fold laundry, us at the Taste of Tacoma, and our trip to Mt. Rainer. Oh, the one with me in the red tank top..we went out for an early early birthday dinner for me. Auntie Tram watched Isaac so we got to go out for a long, quiet dinner.

7 Months!

Its been awhile since I blog....boy, does time go by fast. I'm almost at the end of my contract at MAMC, which i'm getting excited going part-time. This way Isaac and I will have plenty of time to hang out and play. He is getting so big...just hit over the 20 pounds mark...and the boy is solid! we recently started him on yogurt and he loved it! Its those Yo Baby ones, I actually use to eat it when I was pregnant..it's not as sweet, but quite yummy. Isaac is also starting to the the #3 baby foods, I wish I had a food processor so I can blend food for him, (DAN!)
Isaac has been saying a lot of "baba and mama" I'm not sure it he knows what he is saying, but I like to pretend that he is asking for me:). He is so sweet, every night right before bed, whoever holds him, he just sinks in and cuddle. I feel like melting!
Dan and I have been busy with work. Ophtho is keeping Dan busy, but he is really enjoying what he is doing and the people at work are great!
Just this past weekend, we went on a family hike on Mt. Rainer, this will be Isaac's second time, first time, he was in my womb, this time, he had the front seat and a pair of cool sunglasses as we hiked up the trails. It was really clear and warm. We had a great time hanging out and hiking.

Creep in fast-forward

Frustrated, Isaac creeps to get the lotion from the box. So close to crawling.

The journal of a desperate househusband

While Jo is working, I've been off all week holding down the fort. Alone. So nice to catch up with life. I've realized the bitter sweets of trying to get things done while taking care of a (really good little) kid. And it seems like Jo is trusting me (with Isaac) more and more these days, or at least, she's not asking me like 50 bazillion questions about Isaac's day as soon as she walks in the door. (She wants to know everything like last feeding, quantity, bowel movements, consistency, body temperature, attitude... I'm like, dude, he's a baby.)

So, today I had some relief as Aunt Patty and cousin Isaac came over to babysit while I ran into work for a second. (Thanks, it was nice to get out.) I had to go talk to the statistician about this research project that I'm doing. Seems like they had an eventful hour as I walked into all three napping!


Otherwise the day was quite uneventful... other than the fact that I fed Isaac around 3 jars of baby food for lunch alone. Yeah, he just kept wanting another bite, and assumed that, you know, since he was a growing boy (he did look bigger to me this morning)... so after turkey, mash potatoes, carrots, lentils, rice, peaches, and more rice, I cut him off. My concern was childhood obesity, not the fact that he was sliding around in a pile of his vomit when Jo walked in the door. Yeah, I just lost like 50 "trust points" right then.

But that's beside the point, I'll re-earn them in no time, since I still have a couple more days of Dad-Son bonding this week... So, after I overfed my son, we set out by foot to find a barber shop that could walk me in, but no luck. Not even the salons would take us. Come on, a dad and a baby? I used Isaac's last afternoon cat nap as a break to buzz my own hair, without a mirrow. My sister-in-law already did the edges at the wedding a couple days ago, so I was just trimming away with the guard. Anywayz, check out da fade. Two views 4 ya.




Peace out. Time for food. Isaac and I are going to catch up with Jo, who is incidentally "running" to Uncle Charlie's for dinner. I bet we'll find her half-way, walking...

Seat 23B

Technically Isaac's fifth and sixth flight, handled like a superstar...on the way there, Jo and Isaac took the redeye at 11:26pm. Isaac didn't cry once and slept the whole time. Coming back, he slept and played. He did get a little crabby, but how much more can you ask for out of a 6 month old?!

We had a great time in Chicago this weekend, at May and Mike's wedding... Jo cried a total of only twice, once at the wedding and once during her toast. May looked great! It was an awesome wedding with great people and great weather! Isaac got to wear his suite and looked sharp on the little man!







I (Jo), can't believe my litttle sister is married. Her and Michael have been dating as long as Dan and I have been together. I know they will be grea together! Congrats, May and Michael!
Dan, Jake, and Kat got to hang out at Dave's pool in Rockford on Thursday, which was quite a blast.

Check out some more candid photos of May and Mike's wedding taken by our friend.

To watch May and Michael's wedding video, click here or push play below.

Hannah turned two

Today Isaac attended his first birthday party for Ms. Hannah at Gymboree, which is like a giant indoor jungle gym, full of obstacle courses and games. We mostly watched from the sideline with Isaac, but we did get in on the chocolate cupcakes towards the end.

Behold, we now have video capability.

Try pushing the play buttons below...



Isaac takes a bite or two of the camera while playing with his favorite ottoman.


Don't show the grandparents how I almost dropped him while practicing new tricks.


More videos available by pushing the Google buttons above (or you can just push right here.

Bathtime

Off to college

Brightland Kerr Farm

During our spur of the moment visit to Trout Lake this past weekend, we had a fabulous time enjoying the company of the Lamberts and crew (not to mention the beauty and the scenery of the bed and breakfast). Char is such a natural host and an iron chef. I think she was being nice when she pretended like she didn't realize that I ate a total of six of her homemade organic scones for breakfast.

Dan's Intern Graduation

Yes, Dr. Dan Solverson has survived his first year as a doctor and will start next year as an Ophthalmology resident. He had a short small graduation at the American Lake Country Club on base. It was also the graduation for senior residents. The highlight of it all was that we got to meet and take picture with our current army surgeon general. And yes, we did ask him for permission to publish the picture on the blog! Isaac and I are very proud of Daddy! I had to say, with us being in the medical field, he was like meeting a celebrity. Dan was all about finding him for a photo.
Isaac has been a great blessing to us. He is always so happy and loves his mommy and daddy. Recently, he has started to sit up by himself for longer intervals and opens his mouth so wide for foods that he enjoy...sweets! any type of fruits he love! He sure is a good eater!

poor sick baby...

The poor sick baby i'm talking about is Dan. Isaac has been having this cold on and off, but it never seemed to bother him, instead, over Memorial weekend, Dan started to not feeling well, but monday, he was having chills and fever to the point of soaking through our sheets! He couldn't even go to work for two days! Finally, Tuesday night, knowing that he is oncall the next night and need to get better, he finally went to the ER at Madigan because his ears were hurting him so bad, he couldn't sleep or do anything. While there, he found that he's got blisters on his two canals, one rupture membrane, and strep throat, which put him off work AGAIN! after a dose of steroid and some antibiotics Dan is now feeling better...which, now Isaac is recovering from his ear infection since this past Friday. What can I say? I was not sick this whole entire time. The woman prevails!